Nutritional status of Vietnamese female marriage immigrants to Korea in relation to length of residence in Korea

Abstract

Aims: It was the aim of this study to assess the nutritional status of Vietnamese immigrants to Korea through marriage and to examine the association between their nutritional status and their length of residence in Korea.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of a prospective cohort study was performed with Vietnamese immigrant wives to Korea (n = 890).

Results: The mean age and length of residence in Korea were 23.5 and 2.0 years, respectively. The mean body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were 20.9 and 0.82, respectively. Prevalence of underweight (BMI <18.5), overweight (BMI > or =25) and central obesity (WHR >0.85) were 18.3, 7.5 and 26.2%, respectively. As the length of residence in Korea increased, the prevalence of obesity and central obesity increased and the prevalence of underweight decreased. The prevalence of dyslipidemia was <10%. Daily food and daily nutrient intake, which was estimated by 1-day 24-hour recall, did not differ according to the length of residence in Korea.

Conclusions: BMI, WHR and blood profiles of most subjects were in the normal ranges. As the length of residence in Korea increased, the prevalence of obesity increased. The usual intake of the subjects needs to be estimated by other dietary assessment methods.